Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 11 · Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 11.23 रूपं महत्ते बहुवक्त्रनेत्रं
श्लोक 11.23
रूपं महत्ते बहुवक्त्रनेत्रं
महाबाहो बहुबाहूरुपादम् ।
बहूदरं बहुदंष्ट्राकरालं
दृष्ट्वा लोकाः प्रव्यथितास्तथाहम् ॥
rūpaṃ mahatte bahuvaktranetraṃ
mahābāho bahubāhūrupādam |
bahūdaraṃ bahudaṃṣṭrākarālaṃ
dṛṣṭvā lokāḥ pravyathitāstathāham ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
हे महाबाहो! अनेक मुखों और नेत्रों, अनेक भुजाओं, जंघाओं और पैरों, अनेक पेटों और भयानक दाढ़ों वाले आपके विशाल रूप को देखकर सब लोक व्याकुल हैं और मैं भी।
Meaning in English
O mighty-armed one, seeing your immense form with many mouths and eyes, many arms, thighs and feet, many bellies and many fearsome tusks, the worlds are terrified, and so am I.
Bhagavad Gita 11.23 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| रूपम् | rūpam | form |
| महत् | mahat | immense |
| ते | te | your |
| बहुवक्त्रनेत्रम् | bahu-vaktra-netram | with many mouths and eyes |
| महाबाहो | mahā-bāho | O mighty-armed one |
| बहुबाहूरुपादम् | bahu-bāhu-ūru-pādam | with many arms, thighs and feet |
| बहूदरम् | bahu-udaram | with many bellies |
| बहुदंष्ट्राकरालम् | bahu-daṃṣṭrā-karālam | terrible with many tusks |
| दृष्ट्वा | dṛṣṭvā | seeing |
| लोकाः | lokāḥ | the worlds |
| प्रव्यथिताः | pravyathitāḥ | are terrified |
| तथा अहम् | tathā aham | and so am I |
Explanation
O mighty-armed one, seeing your immense form with its many mouths and eyes, many arms, thighs and feet, many bellies and many terrible tusks, the worlds are terrified — and so am I. Arjuna openly admits his fear. The worlds and the warrior tremble alike before this sight.
The vision now turns fully fierce: the tusks (damshtra) suggest a devouring power. For the first time Arjuna says plainly 'and so am I'; the hero who had argued about duty is shaken to the core. Commentators note how honest the Gita is here: seeing God is not presented as pure bliss. Ramanuja and others explain the frightening aspect as the Lord in his role as the destroyer of the world at the end of time, which Krishna will confirm in 11.32.
भावार्थ
हे महाबाहो, अनेक मुखों और नेत्रों वाले, अनेक भुजाओं, जंघाओं और चरणों वाले, अनेक उदरों वाले और अनेक विकराल दाढ़ों वाले आपके इस विशाल रूप को देखकर सब लोग व्याकुल हैं, और मैं भी।
Living it today
It is all right to admit fear; honesty about what overwhelms you is the first step to finding courage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 11.23?
O mighty-armed one, seeing your immense form with its many mouths and eyes, many arms, thighs and feet, many bellies and many terrible tusks, the worlds are terrified — and so am I. Arjuna openly admits his fear. The worlds and the warrior tremble alike before this sight.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 11.23?
Arjuna speaks this verse, in Chapter 11 (Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 11.23 in daily life?
It is all right to admit fear; honesty about what overwhelms you is the first step to finding courage.
Reflected on verse 11.23?
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